RUSSIAN (Div. I)

The department provides language instruction to enable the student to acquire all four linguistic
skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Russian 101-W088-102 covers the basics of
Russian grammar. Russian 103 and 104 offer additional instruction in grammar and provide extensive
practice in reading and conversation. Russian 201 and 202 aim to develop facility in speaking,
writing, and reading.

STUDY ABROAD

The department strongly encourages students desiring to attain fluency in Russian to spend a
semester or year studying in Russia or one of the former Soviet republics. Students generally apply to
one of several approved foreign study programs. Russian 104 or the equivalent and junior standing are
normally prerequisite for study abroad.

LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN TRANSLATION

The department regularly offers courses on Russian literature and culture in English for those
students who have little or no knowledge of Russian, but who wish to become acquainted with the
major achievements in Russian literary and cultural history.

THE CERTIFICATE IN RUSSIAN

To enhance a student's educational and professional profiles, the Certificate in Russian offers a
useful tool for using the language in a wide variety of disciplines. The sequence of language and
culture courses is designed to supplement a student's major at Williams by enabling the student to
expand his or her knowledge in a related field.

The course of study for the certificate gives credit for Russian 101 and 102, which do not count
toward the major. Students who enter Williams with previous training in Russian may substitute more
advanced courses for the 100- and 200-level courses; they can also be exempted from up to two of the
required courses. Thus, in order to earn a certificate a student must take no fewer than five courses
(including three language courses) after enrolling at Williams.

Students must receive a minimum grade of B in each course taken in the sequence. In addition, they
must receive a score of at least 85% on a standardized language proficiency test administered by the
department.

Required Courses

101

102

103

104

201

Electives

-at least one course on Russian cultural history

-at least one course on Russian intellectual, political, or social history, or post-Soviet economics

The Russian Literature major consists of ten courses. Students selecting this major should usually
have completed Russian 202 or the equivalent by the end of the junior year. Majors will normally be
expected to take a 400-level Russian course in their senior year, even if they have previously taken
another 400-level class.

Required Courses

Russian 103, 104 Intermediate Russian

Russian 201, 202 Advanced Russian

Russian 402 Senior Seminar

Electives

Five other courses. At least two must focus on topics in Russian literature. One may be a relevant
course offered in other departments and programs such as Comparative Literature, Economics,
History, and Sociology.

Russian Literature majors may receive major credit for up to four courses taken during study
abroad.

Russian Studies

Russian Studies offers students an interdisciplinary approach to the intellectual and cultural history
of Russia and the former Soviet republics. Students complete the major by combining courses in
Russian language and literature with courses in history, political science, music, economics, and art.

The Russian Studies major consists of ten courses. Students selecting the major must normally
complete Russian 202 or the equivalent by the end of the junior year. Majors will normally be
expected to take the 400-level seminar offered in their senior year, even if they have previously taken
another version.

Required Courses

Russian 103, 104 Intermediate Russian, or the equivalent

Russian 201, 202 Advanced Russian

Russian 402 Senior Seminar

Electives

Five other courses drawn from Russian offerings above 202 and offerings in other departments
chosen in consultation with the chair of the Russian Department. The electives must include courses
from at least two departments other than Russian. Examples of appropriate courses in other
departments are:

Economics 365 Economic Reform in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union

History 140 Fin-de Siecle Russia: Cultural Splendor, Imperial Decay

History 240 Muscovy and the Russian Empire

History 241 The Rise of the Soviet Union

History 440 Reform, Revolution, Terror: Russia, 1900-1939

History 441 Gorbachev and the Collapse of the Soviet Union

Russian Studies majors may receive major credit for as many as four courses taken during study
abroad.

THE DEGREE WITH HONORS IN RUSSIAN

At the beginning of the second semester of the senior year, students may nominate themselves to
candidacy for the degree with honors. By the end of the junior year at the latest, however, they will
have established in consultation with the department their qualifications for embarking on the project,
the pattern of study to be followed, and the standards of performance.

Students earn a degree with honors by submitting a senior thesis (493- W031-494) of honors quality.